Technology Summary

This invention describes a device that can be fit to new marine propellers or retro-fit to existing marine propellers, and can significantly reduce or eliminate the hub vortex created by the propeller. This vortex can cause reductions in shaft torque, induce damage to the propeller, and lead to an overall loss of efficiency of a ship’s propulsion system. The device acts to counter the vorticity or “swirl” introduced into the water by the action of the propeller, thus reducing the strength of the hub vortex. The device leads to significant propulsive improvement, better fuel efficiency, and improved propeller operational life span.